‘Evening with Jefferson’ will move to University Theatre Oct. 16

Because of widespread interest, Lamar University’s presentation of “An Evening with Thomas Jefferson on the American Presidency” will move to the University Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 16. The program will feature historical scholar Bill Barker, acclaimed as the nation’s best Jefferson interpreter.

“We’ve had much more of a demand for attendance than we had anticipated, so we plan to move the program to a larger venue,“ said Mary Scheer, chair of Lamar’s Department of History, which is sponsoring the event with the College of Arts and Sciences. “We want to make everyone comfortable and have a great experience at this outstanding presentation.”

“An Evening with Thomas Jefferson” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, with a student session at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, also in the University Theatre. Both events are open to the public without charge.

Barker, who is associated with Colonial Williamsburg, will examine the executive office in historical perspective through his portrayal of the third president. For more than 25 years, he has dedicated his life to to educating the public about Jefferson – his life, ideas and legacy.

“In this election year, his presentation will be especially appropriate,” Scheer said. “Barker portrays Thomas Jefferson as president from 1800 to 1808, but many of his topics still resonate today.”

Scheer said the history department will post signs at the original location – the Dr. Richard L. Price Auditorium of the John Gray Center – and have students prepared to direct guests to the University Theatre.

The program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Call (409) 880-8511for additional information.

While we harbor no disrespect for the Wall Street Journal who called us “that scrappy little paper from Southeast Texas,” we prefer to think of ourselves as simple seekers of the truth. We’re of the opinion that headlines and sound bites never tell the whole story. Our readers demand all the facts, facets and flavors of every story or event. And, they expect to be informed, educated and stirred to action.